Lower drag means lower SAC rate. For an air hog like me, who hope one day could get my SAC rate way down and stabilized, every bit helps. Now I would need somewhere to put that spare mask, SMB, finger spool and wet notes so I need those pockets. But given that bungeed bladders have not (yet?) taken the world by storm, the hydrodynamics of bungeed bladders only affirm to me that I should avoid them, at least at this stage.

"Common sense is not common." There are two meanings to this: (i) common sense is lacking among the common people, and (ii) one's common sense may not be the same as another's. What makes perfect sense to you may not make much sense to somebody else.

There is only one correct way to wear that long hose setup. Training for it is no more difficult than clearing one's mask or doing a fin pivot. I was just checking out the many gadgets being sold to secure one's octopus in a recreational setting at a dive shop this morning and talk about variety and confusion! I am saving up for a BP/W and once I get it I shall also change to a long hose setup.

To get a Tec Pass in GUE fundies I would need that 7ft hose to go under that big battery for the main light. I want to keep my options open, and not have yet another bit of component (e.g. a 5ft hose) lying around.

I met Graham Blackmore a few weeks ago, and had a short chat w/ him. He does fundies classes in Hong Kong, so I'll probably go for that. I want to be a safe recreational diver, and in my mind GUE courses cater for that better than most other rec diving training agencies.

There is only one fundies course, but depending on one's config when taking the course and the assessments, one may be awarded a Tec Pass or a Rec Pass. Long hose is a DIR standard, and I think one would be expected to turn up to class with it.

Thanks for the advice on the H-brand. I'll most likely get a BP/W (probably DSS or Oxycheq) before I attend the course, but shall probably rent a cannister light.